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Post by rmf on Aug 3, 2021 7:59:17 GMT -5
I have the instruction sheet previously shown on the forum for using Sodium Silicate (SS) to "stabilize" lapidary materials. Yet I have some questions I was hoping someone(s) could shed some light on.
The sodium silicate bucket sold at Lehmans says it has a 3 yr shelf life. Once opened it has 18 months shelf life. My question is are they assuming it will be used for egg storage so they don't want it open too long to prevent bacteria or is there another reason?
I have some small bottles of SS that are used for cementing the refractory tape used to seal my wood stove. These are 5-10 yr old and they work fine. Am I missing something?
When sealing rocks to increase penetration is it standard practice to dilute SS with water or only use at the strength provided by the supplier? The thickness of the SS for the wood stove is like pancake syrup which would reduce penetration.
Any insight into these questions would be appreciated.
TIA
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Post by victor1941 on Aug 3, 2021 15:12:17 GMT -5
I did a quick search and found storage temp. and evidently evaporation in the bottle once the bottle is opened and then sealed causes a gelling process to occur over time. I adhere cut rock pieces to wood, seal the bottle with a tight lid, place inside the house and it still sets after a period of time. Since we lost electricity in Austin this last winter I doubt the last inch or so is any good. Hope this helps.
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Post by rmf on Aug 4, 2021 3:43:30 GMT -5
victor1941 Have you ever added distilled water to the last bit to slow the process? BTW thanks for the info.
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Post by victor1941 on Aug 4, 2021 9:40:16 GMT -5
I have added a small amount of water to prolong the shelf life of the last inch or so. I also have added material from a second bottle but honestly don't know what effect that had on shelf life.
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quartz
Cave Dweller 
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,359
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Post by quartz on Aug 4, 2021 22:12:10 GMT -5
I have been using up a couple jars of it that are in the "who knows how old it is" category, found them at estate sales, one with a label of a rock shop that closed in the mid-seventies. It has jelled some, a good shaking fixes that, stirs it back to liquid. I've glued many rocks to boards for sawing and have yet to have a failure.
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Post by rmf on Aug 5, 2021 15:27:40 GMT -5
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